router

Bosch PR011 Plunge Router Kit Preview

Bosch PR011 Plunge Base Router Kit Preview

Bosch’s PR20EVS Variable Speed Colt Palm router is finally getting a plunge accessory. The new plunge option provides a smooth plunge with a 7 step depth adjustment. The Plunge accessory also has a fine adjustment to ensure that you can precisely set the router for use with any bit or board combination. One thing we immediately liked was that the plunge base features a fully round sub-base. That round base means you won’t bump the bit during long use, when you tend to rotate the base to get to the extreme ends of a cut.

Makita RT0700CX3 1-1/4 HP Compact Router Kit Preview

Makita RT0700CX3 1-1/4 HP Compact Router Kit Preview

Makita is on a roll this week, releasing several new tools to the market. This time it’s the new RT0700C 1-1/4 HP Compact Router. The new Compact Router is also available in a kit (RT0700CX3), which is the only way to buy a router like this as it comes with a plunge, tilt and an offset base for a wide range of routing applications. Compact routers serve a great need in the woodworking and carpentry business – proving a very portable and controllable way to do simple bevels, laminate jobs, etc that would be a bit more of a pain with a full-sized tool. Now, we don’t recommend compact routers for anything heavy-duty – the added weight and bulk of a serious router is always going to outperform when you’re doing some serious projects.

Porter-Cable 450PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit

Porter-Cable 450PK Compact Router Combo Kit Review

The Porter Cable 450PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit brings a breath of fresh air to the compact router market with plenty of power, quality features and woodworking versatility built in. We were impressed that this pint sized router packs a punch and does a fantastic job at a wide variety of router tasks. Combined with an all machined aluminum body, aluminum fixed and plunge bases, and a very positive depth of adjustment system; we found that a high level of precision can be attained. Thanks to its lightweight construction, and compact size, many trimming, edge round-over and chamfer type cuts can be made with ease and control that can be more difficult to do with a full sized tool. Sure there are instances when a larger sized router is needed but we would bank on the fact that most casual woodworkers and even professionals would benefit from the compact size of this router. We find it pretty easy to recommend the Porter Cable 450PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit to anyone.